Former Spice Girl Melanie C is BACK with a new electropoprock single called “Rock Me!” Melanie co-wrote the song with Dave Roth (Tokio Hotel), who also served as producer on the track alongside Andy Chatterly (Kylie Minogue, Diana Vickers). According to Mel C’s official blog:
“‘Rock Me’ is a motivating anthem featuring an infectious chorus of Melanie’s exciting and distinct vocals. With its high energy and relentless beat, it is fitting that the track has been chosen as the official song for German TV channel ZDF’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.” {SOURCE}
As of now there are only plans to release the single in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – no UK release just yet. It’s no surprise that Melanie and her self-started indie label Red Girl Records are choosing to focus everywhere EXCEPT the UK for her as yet untitled fifth album, especially considering how her fourth album tanked when it was released in 2007. This Time only managed to reach #57 on the UK Albums chart. Over in Austria the album peaked at #26, Germany #15 and Switzerland #8. Not only was the album a relative failure in Britain, but none of the This Time singles really made any sort of connection with UK music buyers. The only modestly successful UK single was Mel’s cover of “I Want Candy,” which peaked at #24. Subsequent singles, “Carolyna,” “This Time,” and “Understand” all either charted poorly or failed to chart in the UK but over in Germany, first single, “The Moment You Believe” managed to chart at #15.
Sure sometimes singles are released in different markets but I think it’s clear that right now, Melanie C is hotter in Germany, Austria and Switzerland right now and that’s OK. Bypassing the UK is clearly a calculated, intentional decision on the part of Red Girl Records, focusing on the markets where Melanie C has most recently seen success on the charts. I guess you just have to go where the majority of your fans are. Hopefully, with the upcoming release of Mel’s fifth studio album and new single, “Rock Me,” Mel will find fans all over the world. “Rock Me” is due for release on June 24th. Check out a snippet of the single below.